Ding! Round Two! long

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

John Lucas

>Keith

I still like it. It doesn't matter to me that each part can stand alone. I like the feeling that the top part flares out and opens up like it's inviting you in. I don't see the competition between the top and bottom. If the top were made form a totally different contrasting wood then you do have to make a choice of one being dominant over the other.

I like the dark line between the top and bottom. I can't seem to find the words to describe why. It has something to do with the way my eye flows through the piece but I can't seem to put a finger on what it is. I'm trying to visualize the piece if all 3 parts were the same wood and to me it doesn't work that way. It needs that contrast I think.

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Keith Tompkins

>Hi John, thanks. I like the way the ebony compliments the spalting on the piece. The two woods compliment each other, and adds a bit of elegance, I think.

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Duane C.Leach

>Hi. Keith

Well I hope you have thick skin.

My personal opion is that the finial looks great and the hollow form looks great but together they don't. The finial looks to tall for the hollow form. Or the hollow form is to small for the finial. To me the proportions are just wrong. Just my opion.

Duane

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Gary in Zirconia,NC

>Keith,

I really like it!!! - But I think I would like it without the bead and cove on the finial. I think it would look more like it was flowing out of the vessel than being stuck in it.

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Mike Schwing from Md.

>I like it better Keith but this just must not be a piece for me. The forms compete against each other for attention, and while the flow from one to the other is more harmonious than the previous iteration, it still misses your normal mark of making me go "WOW!"

I greatly admire your willingness to try different things and to accept critique graciously.

I think this would work very well if the bottom were a normal "vase" orientation that echoed the vertical lines of the finial.

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Mike, appreciate the comments.....this base has more of a contrast than a taller form would have. For this piece, I have a limit of 6x6 in any direction....a taller form would be out of the question. Man, I don't like being held captive "inside the box"! I have a feeling you may like my next piece!

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Ken DeMarco

>Keith,

I scrolled down and looked at the pic before reading your message and my first thought was WOW that looks soo good now. I must admit on the fist one I thought the finial was inceredible and the vase was great but somehow didnt fit and I did not care for the peice as a whole. but now I must say I absouloutly love it. I am going to put this one as a backround on my desktop for a while because I like looking at it. Nice!!

Ken DeMarco

broke in phoenix

Can't please them all

Leo Van Der Loo

>It must be me, scroll ti up, sroll it down, end up and down, it still not doesn't feel right for me, yet they are whole each by themselves, I ge you can't please them all.

Have fun and take care

Leo V

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

David Galloway

>Keith, I would agree as to porportions. The two seem mis-matched. I really like the form of the vessel, and I am not all that keen on finials. But this one seems not to work.

How fortunate you are to have such world class turners, like myself (big smile), to assess your work. Actually it is very helpful if you can allow yourself to let the questions push your eye.Thanks for letting us look.

Blessings,

David Galloway

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Doug Trembath

>Your work always demonstrates an innate elegance that pleases the eye as well as sparks the imagination, Keith, but what Mike says hits the problem on the button, IMHO. I do a lot of hollow vessels with finial tops, so maybe my own eye has become stilted, but the form just seems too squat for the size of the finial. Is this one for "Small Treasures"? Maybe a smaller vase would show off your trademark better, by emphasizing the finial more. I would propose that the top be significantly larger, and as such, become the focus point of the piece. A small, rounder vessel comes to mind, and seems to relieve the sense of imbalance in this one.

Size limitations can make things difficult, but so can perspective, proportion, and balance.

Of course, my opinion, as it is with others, is worth exactly what you paid for it. Hope the check's in the mail. I could use more cents, or sense, myself.

Doug Trembath

Studio in the Woods

Here is a modified picture of my idea.

Dave Smith, Longview, WA

>Hi Keith,

I hope I have not over step my bounds in having the picture of your turning modified to illustrate my thoughts. If it is a problem I will take the picture off my server.

I believe the finial works with the hollow form if it appears to emanate from it. The bead separated the two entities. My perspective is to draw a curve starting at the top of the finial and touching the finial bead, each high point of the collar and then the top of the hollow form. To my eye the curve needs to be smooth and flowing. The modified picture is close to that. The bead on the finial is too high or perhaps too large to complete a smooth cure in my mind. However it is very close to a pleasing look from my perspective.

Also, the top of the vessel has a flat spot where it approaches the collar that distracts from the fluid curves of the overall piece.

Keith I am stepping in way over my head with my critique. I strongly disagree with the idea that the finial doesn't work with the short wide vessel. I only have exception with the way you tie them together. I am in no way criticizing you or your excellent work. Please do not be offended and tell me to take a hike if I need to.

Dave Smith

Once again saying more than I know in Longview,WA.

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Brad Vietje

>Keith,

I liked the first version, and I like this one even better !

I can also follow the logic some have expressed -- it seems that if the Maple appeared to erupt through the Ebony, you might get that universal WOW! we're all searching for...

Occasionally you have suggested that others make a series with slight variations, and, excepting the deadline on this, that would be a great journey to take. I suggest for a future "round" a hollow form with an upward sweep toward the top, and a line that seems to pass right through the Ebony collar -- a bit like a spalted Maple celophane bag cinched with an Ebony twist-tie !

If I like the next version even better, I'll have to take out another mortgage on the house so I can actually OWN it !

Safe Spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Doug, thanks for the compliments and the critique.....I think forums such as Wood Central can be powerful learning tools. Instead of "hey that's nice", a critique with options and solutions to problems would be a great benefit. Yes, this piece is for the "Small Treasures" exhibit...it's been sold in advance.

I'm working on a couple variations also....I will consider a larger finial as you suggest.

Re: Here is a modified picture of my idea.

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Dave, I don't have a problem with your modifications....in fact, your response was exactly what I had hoped for...I had considered removing the black bead completely for a better flow,as in your photo, yet it somehow seemed less elegant. But,sometimes simpler IS better.

Thank you for a great critique!

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Brad, another great critique.

Several people have e-mailed me personally on this piece, some like the piece, some do not. I think the important thing is WHY they feel one way or the other....what works, what is the "spark" that would make this piece really POP! ? Or, what doesn't work, and possible solutions. I think it is a good thing to analyze our work, and then incorporate the best features in the pieces that follow. I think otherwise we fail to grow as turners.

It is my hope that this post would encourage others to post pieces of their work....for a meaningful critique and discussion. I think this would benefit all of us who inhabit this great site. thanks all, Keith

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Barry Turner

>Can't speak for everyone else, but I like it! Very nice!

Re: Here is a modified picture of my idea.

Barry Turner

>I think I like the original better..............

Much better , at this angle.

Leo Van Der Loo

>

Re: Ding! Round Two! long

Juergen

>Remember the Camel was designed by a comittee. What is the intended focal point, the scroll, the finial, the base form? In the original they all seem to draw our attention equally, therefore making the whole less succssful. I think scaling the scoll solves all the problems, visually, it is the most interesting part of the work.